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Samsung stops security updates for Galaxy J1, Galaxy J3 and Galaxy A3 (2016)

by Cosmin Vasile / Mar 05, 2018, 3:20 AM

Samsung stops security updates for Galaxy J1, Galaxy J3 and Galaxy A3 (2016)

Samsung prides itself for taking security and privacy issues very seriously, which is why it releases monthly and quarterly security updates on selected Android devices. These updates include patches for Android OS related security issues released by Google, along with patches for Samsung-specific security issues.

However, these updates won't be coming on a phone for more than a few years after it's been released on the market. Also, Samsung releases security updates for selected devices on a monthly basis, while the rest receive these updates quarterly.

Well, it looks like at least three Samsung smartphones won't be getting security updates any longer, as the South Korean company has just updated the Android security page and completely remove them from the list.

Samsung Galaxy J1, Galaxy J3 and Galaxy A3, all released two years ago, will not get any new security updates going forward. On the other hand, the new Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) was added to the monthly list, while the Galaxy A8+ (2018), Galaxy J2 (2018) and Galaxy Tab Active2 have been moved to the quarterly list.

Make sure to check Samsung's Android security page every time you purchase a new Samsung device to find out how often it get these important updates.

source: Samsung via AndroidPolice

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14 Comments

2. megathaszrul89

Posts: 203; Member since: Jan 08, 2015

That was... Harsh?

posted on Mar 05, 2018, 3:49 AM 0

3. WAusJackBauer

Posts: 455; Member since: Mar 22, 2015

Can't blame them. They're old low end devices.

posted on Mar 05, 2018, 5:01 AM 1

4. Sammy_DEVIL737

Posts: 1529; Member since: Nov 28, 2016

My A5(2016) is still receiving monthy security updates. That's good Samsung. But I hope they atleast give monthly security patches to every other phone which are listed instead of giving those quarterly updates because ever other customer matters.

posted on Mar 05, 2018, 5:12 AM 0

5. Crispin_Gatieza

Posts: 3151; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

I see no reason manufacturers can't give security patches beyond 2 years. I can understand major OS updates especially on older, low-end handsets but not for patches.

posted on Mar 05, 2018, 6:19 AM 0

6. Boast_Rider

Posts: 535; Member since: Sep 14, 2017

They still require work to be done to make those firmwares. And since those phones run on a lower android version and hence a lower API level, it becomes even harder. Not to mention these are probably low margin phones, so it's a bad business decision to support them. And after 2 years, low end phones are pretty unusable. Heck, even my 'powerful' for 2016 Oneplus 3 isn't as smooth and fast as it used to be.

posted on Mar 05, 2018, 7:36 AM 0

8. R3DgRu

Posts: 55; Member since: Jun 10, 2015

Do factory reset. I did that for my htc one m9 and it got significantly faster.

posted on Mar 05, 2018, 8:57 AM 0

9. Boast_Rider

It's not that my phone is slow. But when I push it heavily, it sometimes just gives up and freezes. I have to force restart it to get it working.

posted on Mar 05, 2018, 9:29 AM 0

13. Stickerlicker

Posts: 22; Member since: Sep 08, 2016

You mean after less than 1 year. I bought my Samsung in Oct 2016 with Andoid 6. Since July 2017 no more updates ever and still at Android 6 is less than 1 year. Never Samsung phones again for me. Back to Nokia or Xiaomi.

posted on Mar 05, 2018, 9:11 PM 0

18. Boast_Rider

Well, buying a marshmallow device when oreo was around wasn't the brightest of decisions. You kinda had it coming.

posted on Mar 06, 2018, 8:08 AM 0

7. libra89

Posts: 2297; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

I had no idea there was a public list, that's good to know. So I can expect another year of updates on my A3 2017, that sounds good to me. I now know that it gets quarterly updates, which confused me before.

posted on Mar 05, 2018, 7:46 AM 0

11. Jrod99

Posts: 760; Member since: Jan 15, 2016

Ouch. Not good Sammy.

posted on Mar 05, 2018, 12:34 PM 0

12. Stickerlicker

And this is the reason I will not buy Samsung anymore. Nokia, xiaomi, Moto are the way to go for mid range devices. At least security updates for a few years.

posted on Mar 05, 2018, 9:07 PM 0

15. Shadocx4

Posts: 134; Member since: Oct 20, 2014

J3 and J1 aren't even midrange and the A3 2016 doesn't have the same CPU as A5 and A7 2016, can't be considered a midrange, these are all J series to my eyes.